His voice was quiet, yet it reached everyone present clearly.
"As long as a single man in my Star Luo Empire still lives, we will never trade women for peace."
His gaze swept over Xue Ke, then Xue Qinghe, then the Heaven Dou Guards behind him, before finally settling on the imperial White Tiger banner fluttering atop the city wall.
"Because we in the Star Luo Empire believe in one saying—"
He paused, enunciating every word with clarity and force.
"The emperor guards the gates; the king dies for his realm!"
Dai Mobai's voice was quiet, but every word reached everyone present clearly.
The moment he finished speaking, every gaze turned to him in unison.
Something stirred beneath Xue Ke's resigned indifference.
Her lashes trembled violently, and Dai Mobai's figure was reflected in her pale golden eyes.
She stared at the man she was to marry in this political union. Though this was their first meeting, those words had already etched his figure deep into her heart.
Perhaps being with a man like him wouldn't be so miserable.
That thought quietly took root in her heart like a seed.
Behind Dai Mobai, Li Yue gazed at him with eyes that had all but melted.
Her usually cool eyes now brimmed with undisguised love and pride.
She was proud to be this man's woman!
Atop the city wall, the Star Luo Empire's guards looked at Dai Mobai with fervent devotion.
Their hands tightened unconsciously around their long halberds, their knuckles whitening—not from nerves, but from excitement.
With a king like this, why fear death?!
Those words surged through their chests, threatening to burst free.
Xue Qinghe stared at Dai Mobai, defeat mingling with the shock and anger in his eyes.
His lips still held that gentle curve, but it had grown